Germany boss Joachim Low believes the number of foreigners in the Premier League is holding back England at international level.
Low is happy that home-grown youngsters are given the chance to impress in the Bundesliga, while there are also senior players such as Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil who have left to gain experience in other countries.
Germany’s national team has continued to compete for major honours and the current crop has made it through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where they will face France in Rio de Janeiro in Friday.
England, meanwhile, dropped out at the group stage without winning a match after losing to Italy and Uruguay, and drawing 0-0 with surprise Group D winners Costa Rica.
Roy Hodgson has previously expressed frustration at the low percentage of English players regularly turning out in the Premier League, and Low feels England will continue to struggle until the issue is addressed.
Speaking about his Germany squad, Low said: “I believe we have a good blend. These players have a lot of experience in tough competitions.
“I’m not unhappy if players are abroad. We can benefit from Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil having different influences and cultures and coaches. They benefit personally as well and it helps players to mature.
“If other countries like England have a problem, their league has a disadvantage because of a higher percentage of foreigners so it becomes difficult for the national coach to get things moving.
“We have changed over recent years with lots of young German players in German clubs, given an advantage over foreigners and we’re benefiting from that.
“In England there are many foreigners and perhaps that is not always beneficial.”
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